Donald Trump’s administration has filed a formal indictment against former FBI director James Comey, alleging he lied to Congress about the bureau’s investigation into attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election. Comey, 64, had appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020 to testify on “Crossfire Hurricane”, the FBI’s probe into possible links between Trump’s campaign and Russian operatives. That inquiry ultimately concluded without evidence of collusion.
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The timing of the charges is significant, as the statute of limitations for Comey’s testimony is due to expire this week. Responsibility for prosecuting the case now lies with Lindsey Halligan, recently appointed as acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan, 36, replaces Erik Siebert, a seasoned federal prosecutor who resigned amid reports of pressure from the administration to pursue unrelated cases. Despite her new senior role, Halligan has limited courtroom experience compared with her predecessor.
Trump has openly expressed frustration at what he views as delays within the Justice Department in pursuing political opponents. In a Truth Social post, apparently sent in error, he urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to move faster, warning that credibility was at stake. Shortly afterwards, he praised Halligan’s appointment, calling her “extremely intelligent” and “fearless”. Nonetheless, the contrast between her background in insurance law and Siebert’s lengthy federal record has been noted by legal observers.
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Halligan’s career path has drawn attention, from her early years as a beauty pageant contestant in Colorado to her more recent visibility as a lawyer defending Trump. After working in Florida on insurance disputes, she entered Trump’s legal circle following a chance meeting at his golf course in 2021. She later became a prominent media defender during the Mar-a-Lago documents case, though some of her legal filings were dismissed for procedural errors. Since moving to Washington, she has been given roles in the administration, including overseeing controversial “anti-woke” initiatives at the Smithsonian. Critics question her lack of prosecutorial experience, though allies argue her loyalty and resilience fit Trump’s preference for trusted figures in key positions.
